A vet examined Meg’s body and came to the conclusion that Meg would have suffered massively while being drowned, as well as being under immense distress.

RSPCA inspector Michelle Hare, who investigated the case, said: “This was such a horrific case. Meg, a much-loved family pet, suffered horribly and her death would not have been quick.

“Initially, she would have felt an immense sense of panic. This would have been expressed in violent struggling movements and automatic swimming movements would have kicked in, as she would have tried to get to the top of the bucket.

“In addition to fear and panic, Meg would also have felt severe pain, as her oxygen levels in her blood dropped, her lungs would have become painful, and the urge to breathe would have become overwhelming. The action of water entering the lungs would have exacerbated the pain and suffering until Meg became unconscious.”

Woodhouse appeared at Corby Magistrates’ Court in May 2015, where he was given a 12 weeks’ prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay £2,400 in costs after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to Meg.

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